India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of the second T20I against New Zealand due to a low-grade right adductor strain, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Friday, October 23.
Source: BCCI via ANI / NewKerala
"Ishan Kishan is ruled out of the second T20I against New Zealand due to a low-grade right adductor strain, which he sustained during the first T20I of the series. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress," the BCCI said in its update, shared on X.
Source: BCCI statement via ANI
The second T20I will be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday, October 24 — the same venue as the opener. India lead the five-match series 1-0 after chasing down 226 to win the first match by four wickets with two balls to spare.
Source: Cricbuzz
Kishan sustained the injury during Thursday's opener. Batting at No. 5 instead of his usual No. 3 spot, the left-hander scored one run off three balls before being caught by Finn Allen off Mitchell Santner. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak later explained that the change in the batting order was because of the groin strain, not a tactical switch.
"Ishan Kishan has a niggle in his groin," Kotak said at the press conference. "I know there was speculation about the change in the batting order, but it wasn't a change as such. It was because of the groin strain. I think he is unlikely for one game."
Kotak confirmed that Kishan's absence brings Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the only other frontline batter in the squad, into the equation. "If Ishan can't play — unless he recovers completely, the medical team will tell us — then obviously Vaibhav comes into the calculations as a batter. He is definitely one of the strongest persons who can play," Kotak said. India also have the option of Shivam Dube, who adds a medium-pace bowling option.
In the first T20I, Sanju Samson laid the foundation for the chase with 67 off 33 balls, captain Shreyas Iyer made 42 off 28, and Naman Dhir finished the game with an unbeaten 42 off 15 balls. Earlier, Glenn Phillips smashed an unbeaten 82 off 40 balls and Finn Allen hit 45 off 24 as New Zealand posted 225 for 4, their highest total in home T20Is.
The 28-year-old Kishan has scored 1,955 runs in 67 T20Is at an average of 31.03 and a strike rate of 148.55. He remains part of India's squad for the five-match ODI series that follows the T20Is on this tour, which also includes two Test matches.